"This transaction isn't about the cost of food; you can still ask me any questions you have." Demanja might have felt a bit guilty. Ten days to capture a dragon was indeed a difficult request, but if he didn't, his secret recipe would be given away. He did this to make Li Xi back down.
"Master, you have such profound research on how Dragonborn enhance their strength. I wonder if you have any research on enhancing the strength of Abyssal bloodlines?"
Demanja pondered for a moment, then shook his head, "I haven't deeply researched this matter and cannot give you a definitive answer."
Li Xi's heart sank. The Flamewyrm bloodline was one he had already decided to absorb. If Demanja didn't have a sure way to enhance it, he couldn't rashly absorb it.
But then Demanja's tone shifted, "However, theoretically, it's feasible. From my research on dragons, I've found that dragon bloodlines have strong corrosive and fusion properties, easily combining with other races. Otherwise, this world wouldn't have so many draconic hybrids."
Li Xi nodded. Indeed, dragon genes were prevalent in over seventy percent of life forms.
"And Abyssal demon bloodlines are even stronger than dragons. The demons in the Nine Hells are ultimately influenced by the abyssal consciousness. Though it appears more complex than the mainland, it's actually more unified. If absorption is successful, enhancement should be simpler."
Li Xi thought carefully. The Abyss invaded the mainland, and countless humans were corrupted by the abyssal consciousness, becoming demonized. When Li Xi first took on missions, wasn't Frank influenced by abyssal energy and directly turned into a demon? That being had nearly killed Li Xi back then.
Such cases of infection solely through aura, besides the Abyss, could also be from dragons. However, the subtle influence of dragons required decades to show results, which was why countless small races attached themselves to dragons, hoping to be influenced and gain draconic traits and improved vision. The kobold tribe Li Xi had spared when capturing the blue dragon Stark was in such a situation.
But comparing the two, one required days or even hours, while the other required decades. This showed that the infectiousness of abyssal energy was indeed tens of times stronger than that of dragons.
"Then, Master, could you help me research a method to gently enhance the Abyssal bloodline, similar to how it's done with dragons?"
Demanja's eyes widened slightly as he scrutinized Li Xi from head to toe. Li Xi felt as if his soul was being peered into.
Fortunately, after a long gaze, Demanja detected no abyssal aura. "If you want to possess both bloodlines, it's not impossible. But I believe there's no need to choose the Abyssal bloodline. There are many other bloodlines on the continent that are no weaker than dragons. You could choose them, and they could even form a good balance with the dragon bloodline. If you insist on the Abyssal bloodline, it will inevitably suppress the dragon bloodline, and you might become demonized and fall into the Abyss."
"I believe you don't want to become something neither human nor demon."
"Master, you misunderstand. I won't integrate such a bloodline into my body; I'm just interested in the matter. Just interested." Li Xi's flimsy excuse was like honey still on your lips while claiming you hadn't stolen any.
Demanja was indifferent to Li Xi's words. Every adult had to take responsibility for their decisions. "This matter is simple, but my young friend, knowledge is priceless, and I don't have the suitable experimental materials on hand. I regret to say I'm unable to help with this."
"I have the materials. I just wonder what price Master requires?" Li Xi had long prepared the materials – the flesh and blood of a Flamewyrm, preserved for a long time, waiting for this very day.
Demanja was slightly surprised. "It seems my young friend was well-prepared. However, I lack nothing at the moment. I can help you with the research. As for compensation, it's a condition: when I have a need in the future, you will fulfill it for me."
"In the future," Li Xi mused. His strength had advanced by leaps and bounds. What might be a major problem for him now could be a minor one later. Such a request was more suitable than proposing a definite price now.
"No problem."
"Very well. Since I've agreed to my young friend, I will complete the research before I leave. However, I was only scheduled to stay for ten days; it seems I'll have to extend my stay."
"Master, rest assured, I guarantee I will capture the dragon you requested before you leave."
"Then I shall look forward to my young friend's good news."
...
Li Xi left the demiplane and went directly to Avril's home. Without any concealment, he told her Demanja's request.
Avril listened with emotion, "Master Demanja truly lives up to his title as the Dragon Slayer. To actually develop such methods for enhancing strength!"
"So, what do you mean?"
Avril's gaze drifted towards Sun Sandai, who was shivering under the eaves. Li Xi's gaze followed Avril's.
What had she heard? She heard about a wicked method of refining dragons into potions to enhance strength. It seemed if she hadn't been quick-witted back then, she would have already been refined into a potion and consumed. But what did these two people's gazes mean?
Sun Sandai had no choice but to cover her eyes with her wings, pretending not to see.
"Sandai is your pet and your mount. I won't give her away. But this concerns my method of enhancing strength. I haven't heard any news of other dragons, and I'm at a loss. That's why I've come to discuss it with you," Li Xi said to Avril in a consulting tone.
Avril didn't consider the preciousness of her dragon mount at all. Her casual words made it sound as if she were talking about some common earthworm. "Do you know what parts of a dragon are needed to smelt dragon potions, or the whole dragon? If it's just some internal organs, brain matter, or flesh and skin, I think Sandai can understand the righteousness of the situation and contribute selflessly."
*Thump.*
Sun Sandai, weak all over, fell from under the eaves. As a dragon bound by a master-servant contract, if Avril truly gave her up, she would have no choice but to accept her fate. Her palm-sized body lay on the ground, groaning and pleading for a sliver of hope.
"I asked. A whole dragon is needed," Li Xi's words completely plunged the still-hopeful Sun Sandai into an abyss of despair.
She had originally thought that coming to the surface and facing ancient monsters like Dracula would be the worst. After learning that Dracula had been severely injured by the Dark Lady, Sun Sandai was happy to enjoy the sunlight every day. However, her good days hadn't lasted long before she was about to be made into a potion.
No, facing the two who had already condemned her, Sun Sandai fought for a chance to survive in her heart.
She got up from the ground and shouted, "Don't kill me! I have a way to find other dragons."
"What way?" A wicked smile appeared on Avril's face. "My little pet, tell me quickly."
Sun Sandai suppressed her panicked heart, her eyes filled with a desire to survive. "Master, you know I'm a female dragon, an adult female dragon who hasn't laid any dragon eggs yet. I can use my scent to attract some young and strong dragons."
Li Xi was overjoyed. "You can do that?"
After stating her method, Sun Sandai felt as if her bones had been hollowed out, and she lay limply on the ground. "Yes, you can. But this method can't be used often. If the elder dragons find out, they will never let me off."
Sun Sandai hadn't wanted to do this in the first place, but seeing that if there were no other dragons, they would use her as a substitute. For the sake of the present, Sun Sandai could only disregard the great taboos of the dragon race. Regardless of any race, colluding with outsiders to harm one's own kind would always be met with the severest punishment. But now, to survive, or to die for the glory of the dragon race, Sun Sandai chose to live.
Avril surprisingly gently picked up her mount from the ground, her movements as tender as a mother who loved her children the most. She praised, "You truly are my thoughtful pet. To be able to sacrifice so much for your master, I will treat you well in the future."
"Thank you for your praise, Master." If her legs hadn't been trembling and tightly clamped together, no one would have known how Sun Sandai had spent her day.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's set off now." Li Xi couldn't wait for his own strength.
"Who knows how many days this will take? Aren't you going to say goodbye to Sister Aisi?"
"It's fine, I have a shadow clone."
"Heartless man. I'll see what you do when Sister Aisi finds out about your actions later."
"We'll deal with it when it happens." Li Xi braced himself with the tone of a stubborn old man who had already cooked the rice. After all, he was already on the boat; would they throw him overboard to drown just because he hadn't bought a ticket?
The two, with one dragon, quietly left Cado City. They went to a secluded place. Li Xi unfurled his dragon wings and, carrying Avril, soared into the sky. Half a day later, they had penetrated deep into the Forest of Forgetfulness. Under Avril's guidance, they found the best location.
Sun Sandai unfurled herself. A twenty-five-meter-long black dragon roared at the sky, its powerful dragon might scattering outwards. The aura of a top predator sent countless magical beasts and wild animals scurrying in terror, quickly clearing a large open space nearby.
Li Xi took out a small bottle from his spatial ring. It contained half a bottle of black liquid. "This is the venom of an Abyssal Demon Spider. Just a few drops can paralyze a dragon. I don't need to teach you how to do it, do I?"
"No, no, I understand," Sun Sandai said, gripping the poison with her claws. She indicated that this substance would definitely be used on the dragons she was about to attract. Once her bottom line was crossed, Sun Sandai would be more shameless and malicious than Li Xi could have imagined.
Li Xi and Avril hid far away, relying on their super-vision to see Sun Sandai inexplicably doing things in the open space she had created. Sometimes she would arch her back, sometimes she would dig a hole, and sometimes she would even take out urine she had collected earlier and pour it on the ground. In any case, it was a series of operations Li Xi couldn't understand.
Time passed as Li Xi waited anxiously. Even with Avril by his side, Li Xi's restless heart couldn't be calmed. His feelings of gain and loss made his heart pound like thunder.
One day, two days, three days... Six days, seven days.
"Don't worry. If she can't attract any dragons, I'll use her to trade for the method," Avril reassured Li Xi more than once.
Li Xi also knew that if no dragons were attracted, even if he didn't want to trade Sun Sandai, he couldn't prevent her ultimate sacrifice. A lazy dragon that always played tricks was less useful than something valuable. This was also the result of Sun Sandai always being sly and not performing well. If Li Xi had to trade Sun Erdai, he would refuse without hesitation.
Sun Sandai also knew that her fate depended on these few days. Her prayers to the Dragon God were incessant, hoping the Dragon God would grant her a dragon. She wondered if the Dragon God would crawl over and kill her if he knew she wanted a dragon not for mating and breeding the sparse dragon population, but to conspire with outsiders to harm its life.
Finally, on the tenth day, as Sun Sandai's eyes were bloodshot, the roar of a dragon could be heard in the distance.